Motivation

Usain Bolt avoids thinking about his weaknesses before a race. Sometimes he thinks about how he will celebrate if he wins.^[1] See: Self-talk

Usain Bolt beating Tyson Gay and setting a 100 meter world record at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics in Berlin, Germany.

Motivation or motive (from Medieval Latin motivus, from motus, past participle of movere "move") is the conscious or unconscious drive or need that incites a person to some action, inaction or behavior, providing incentive; often a goal or purpose. To motivate oneself or others, is to provide a motive for action or inaction.^[2] Both fear and devotion are powerful motivations. Sloth can also be a powerful motivation for avoiding responsibility and the possible pain or consequences of making any particular or general effort either for or against someone or something. Compare indifference.

"One of the theories that gives great insight on the first question - how to be sure we find happiness in our careers - is from Frederick Herzberg, who asserts that the powerful motivator in our lives isn’t money; it’s the opportunity to learn, grow in responsibilities, contribute to others, and be recognized for achievements." ^[3]

It's not what motivates a scientist's argument that determines its validity; it's the quality of the evidence and analysis that the scientist uses to support the argument. ^[4] See Hypothesis.

What motivation is

According to Kendra Cherry, MSEd, "The term motivation describes why a person does something. It is the driving force behind human actions. Motivation is the process that initiates, guides, and maintains goal-oriented behaviors."^[5]

Articles on what motivation is

Motivation: The Driving Force Behind Our Actions by Kendra Cherry, MSEd

What is Motivation? A Psychologist Explains, Positive Psychology website

Importance of motivation for success

Motivation is a prime driver of success because it helps people to set and achieve goals, overcome various challenges, and persevere. It can also help people to: increase their productivity, be creative, and practice resilience.

Articles:

The Road To Success Is Paved With Motivation, Forbes

Motivation - The Driving Force Behind Success

Why is Motivation Important for Success?

Motivation Is the Key To Success

Types of motivation

See also: Self-motivation

The website Skillsyouneed.com indicates:

"In thinking about self-motivation, it is helpful to understand what motivates you to do things.

There are two main types of motivators: ‘intrinsic’ and ‘extrinsic’.

In their simplest form you can think about these two types of motivation as:

Intrinsic = related to what we want to do.

Extrinsic = related to what we have to do.

A more detailed definition is:

Intrinsic: To perform an action or task based on the expected or perceived satisfaction of performing the action or task. Intrinsic motivators include having fun, being interested and personal challenge.

Extrinsic: To perform an action or task in order to attain some sort of external reward, including money, power and good marks or grades.

Different people are motivated by different things and at different times in their lives. The same task may have more intrinsic motivators at certain times and more extrinsic motivators at others, and most tasks have a combination of the two types of motivation.^[6]

Low self-motivation and the spiritual strength to turn things around. The limitations of self-motivation

The Resurrection" by Carl Heinrich Bloch.

Quotes

The Christian author John Noe wrote in his book Peak Performance Principles For High Achievers:

“

Now in my own life, I go one step farther in setting my goals. I set what I call God-sized goals. A God sized goal is one that is so far outside your human capabilities that you will never reach it unless God intervenes on your behalf...

However, self-motivation theories eventually begin to cave under their own weight because there is only so far they can go. People begin begin to say, Oh no. Not another self-motivation speaker - we had one of those last year! Management circles, I've found are tired of the hype. the rah-rah pep talks, the glorified weather reports and the positive thinking. For many of them, self-motivation has lead to frustration. It's superficial in its effectiveness...

The basic building block of out of self-motivation is that there is only one person in the universe who is worthy , who has enough to offer, to become the center of our lives - Jesus Christ , God's son,. The goal is, then to become Christ-directed . Out-of-self motivation is based on the biblical principle of receiving a 'higher self' by surrendering our old selfish nature to Jesus Christ. Then and only then can we receive God's wisdom and power in our lives."^[7]

”

"Most of all, I knew that God, my 'Guide of guides' had made it possible for me to accomplish this great feat. The greatest delusion in the world is that of the so-called 'self made" person. There is no such thing in high achievement." - Author John Noe on climbing on the Matterhorn mountain.^[8] See: Peak Performance Principles For High Achievers by John R. Noe

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." - Saint Paul, Philippians 4:13

“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” - Jesus Christ, Matthew 26:41

"Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned." - Jesus Christ (John 15: 4-16)

Article

If Your Motivation for Work is Low, God Can Fill It Up, The Gospel Coalition

Increasing self-motivation

"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win." - The Apostle Paul, 1 Corinthians 9:24

Below are articles on increasing self-motivation:

Motivate yourself, Mindtools.com
Motivation: How to get started and staying motivated, HealthDirect.gov
6 ways to boost your motivation, PsychCentral
5 Surprising Ways to Get Motivated
How to Keep Working When You’re Just Not Feeling It, Harvard Business Review
What to Do When You Have No Motivation
How to Motivate Yourself: 25 Ways to Increase Motivation
5 science-backed ways to increase your motivation
Motivation Is A Muscle: The 7 Best Ways To Substantially Increase Your Productivity, Forbes

Videos:

Staying motivated and increasing motivation video - playlist

Major schools of motivational models and explanations for peoples' behaviors

Jesus Christ's Sermon on the Mount was highly influential in terms of the morality of the adherents of Christianity and their influence on others.

Below are major schools of motivational models and explanations for peoples' behaviors

1. Pleasure principle - Individuals' desire to gain pleasure and avoid pain.^[9] Proposed by Sigmund Freud. See also: Comfort zone

2. Behavioral model. Physical/psychological drives.^[10] Proposed by B.F. Skinner.

3. Existential theory as a motivational model.^[11] People's need for purpose and meaning.

4. Morality and religion. People's desire to do the right thing and to act in accordance with their religious faith.

5. Maslow's hierarchy of needs.^[12] Proposed by Abraham Maslow

A) Physiological - Hunger, thirst, shelter, sex
B) Safety - Security, protection from physical and emotional harm
C) Social - Affection, belonging, acceptance, friendship
D) Esteem - Self-respect, autonomy, status, achievement, recognition, attention
E) Self Actualization - following/doing your inner desires

Fogg Motivation Model

Fogg Motivation Model, Stanford University

Fogg behavior model in 2 minutes and 30 seconds - video

McClelland's Need Theory

See also: McClelland's Need Theory

Study.com indicates: "David McClelland, a 20th-century psychologist, theorized that humans are motivated by three possible needs: achievement, power, and affiliation. These 3 needs are based on one's life experiences and acquired over time. McClelland's theory of human motivation became known as McClelland's acquired needs theory. McClelland believed that these needs were acquired over time based on life experiences."^[13]

Religious people, motivation and dopamine levels in the brain

According to Scientific American: "Research also suggests that a religious brain exhibits higher levels of dopamine, a hormone associated with increased attention and motivation."^[14] See also: Atheism and motivation and Atheism and the brain

Metamotivation

Metamotivation is what motivates an individual and spurs an individual towards self-actualization and excellence.^[15]

Motivational speaker and sales trainer Zig Ziglar on the temporary nature of motivational materials

“People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing — that's why we recommend it daily.” - Zig Ziglar.

Journal articles

Integrating Theories of Motivation, Academy of Management Review 2006, Vol. 31, No. 4, 889–913

Books on self-motivation

See also: Books on self-motivation

100 Ways To Motivate Yourself: Change Your Life Forever by Steve Chandler. Career Pr Inc; Revised edition (January 1, 2004)

Be Your Future Self Now: The Science of Intentional Transformation by Dr. Benjamin Hardy. Hay House LLC (August 1, 2023)

"Motivation: The Manual (Motivation: Your Manual, Your Way)" by Dr. Dan Bishop. ‎Independently published (December 8, 2023)

The Motivation Manual: Your Guide to Unstoppable Achievement by Fida Hussain. ASIN: B0CBL6CGZS. Publication date: ‎July 9, 2023

Master Your Motivation: A Practical Guide to Unstick Yourself, Build Momentum and Sustain Long-Term Motivation by Thibaut Meurisse. Independently published (July 16, 2019)

How to Motivate Yourself: Secrets of the Motivational Superstars by Lyn Kelley. Independently published (February 6, 2020)

The Motivation Code: Discover the Hidden Forces That Drive Your Best Work by Todd Henry Rod Penner, Todd W. Hall and Joshua Miller. ‎Portfolio (October 6, 2020)

50 Ways To Motivate Yourself In 50 Minutes: Discover 50 Motivational Hacks To Build Self-Discipline, Achieve Your Goals And Get What You Want ... Confidence Hacks and Become Unstoppable) by Riley Stevens. Independently published (January 4, 2019)

Self-Motivation: Anyone can do IT if I did IT by Dujon Walsham. UK Book Publishing (October 14, 2019)

50 Things to Know about Self-Motivation: How to Become and Stay Motivated Through Life’s Hardships (50 Things to Know Coping With Stress) by Amanda Walton and 50 Things To Know. CZYK Publishing; 1st edition (December 21, 2013)

Understanding Motivation and Emotion 7th Edition by Johnmarshall Reeve. Wiley; 7th edition (January 18, 2018)

External links